The Kapio Newspress

Issue date: 3/1/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Kyle Durigan Sexually explicit messages are more common than not in society.

College students should know: sending sexually suggestive texts and messages - known as "sexting" - isn't just inappropriate, it can be illegal.

Sexting can consist of explicit words, photos, or video being sent to another person, even if that person is your boyfriend or girlfriend.

While sexting has made headlines because of the growing number of teenagers participating, these sexually explicit messages are sent by adults, too.

About 33 percent of young adults age 20 to 26 admit to sending or posting nude or semi-nude photos of themselves, according to a nationwide survey done by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com. Nearly 60 percent of young adults said they've sent or posted sexually suggestive messages.

The Darkside of the Internet blog written by Chris Duque, computer forensics specialist and CyberSecurity consultant and retired detective for the Honolulu Police Department, helps to define the laws of child pornography in Hawai'i.

He said on his blog that child pornography constitutes any pornographic visual representation, including photos, videos and computer-generated images, that show anyone younger than 18 - considered a minor - engaging in sexual conduct or made to appear that way.

Even though sexting can involve kids sending messages to each other, the consequences of their actions are generally unknown. The messages that are sent are often meant for one person to see, but somehow get shown or sent to other people and that is when the situation reaches a new level.

Duque explained that even though sexting may take place on a personal phone, another co-worker may witness the messaging and feel uncomfortable. Because the action is taking placing in a work environment, the witness can report it to their supervisor. Each company also has their own policies on sexual harassment.

Even if the participants in sexting feel comfortable with the pictures or videos, anybody who is not can report it.

When kids send messages, most times the photo or video ends up being passed along to other people, Duque explains.

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